European Court backs Abu Hamza US extradition

The UK authorities can extradite the radical Muslim cleric, Abu Hamza and four other suspects to the United States to face terrorism charges, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled

The court, based in Strasbourg, France, found that extraditing the five wouldn't violate Article 3 of the European Union's Convention on Human Rights, which bars inhuman and degrading treatment, but it allowed a three-month stay for an appeal.

Prime Minister David Cameron said he was "very pleased" with Tuesday's ruling, the BBC reported.

"It's quite right that we have a proper legal process, although sometimes you can be frustrated by how long things take," he added.

The court's decision is one of its most important since 9/11 because it approves of human rights in US maximum security prisons, making it easier for the UK to send suspects to its closest ally.

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